Patents Issued in May 18, 2004
  • Patent number: 6736199
    Abstract: A heat exchanger in which dead zones and areas of stagnation are significantly minimized or eliminated. The heat exchanger includes at least one floating tubesheet which is movable in a longitudinal direction in response to tube expansion and contraction relative to the heat exchanger shell. The shell is joined to the ends by conical members which preferably join onto the shell at a distance along its length to provide shell extensions which promote better flow patterns in the regions of the tube ends. Tube erosion may be addressed by providing a sacrificial portion of tube length extending beyond the tube sheets so as to make repair and replacement of the eroded portion of tubes significantly cheaper, easier and with minimal process interruption. Because axial or longitudinal flow is employed with respect to the shell-side fluid, tube vibration problems are generally eliminated and fouling is minimized through the use of high fluid velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Amar S. Wanni, Marciano M. Calanog, Thomas M. Rudy
  • Patent number: 6736200
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-exchanging method for an easily polymerizable compound which method effectively prevents polymerization in a heat exchanger to enable a long-term stable heat exchange when an easily polymerizable liquid compound (for example, acrylate ester) or an easily polymerizable compound-containing liquid (for example, aqueous acrylic acid solution) is heat-exchanged. A vertical spiral type heat exchanger with a fluid path space of not less than 6 mm is used as a heat exchanger to carry out the heat exchange under conditions where the average liquid flow rate is not less than 0.2 m/sec and where the liquid residence time is not more than 100 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Okazaki, Yukihiro Matsumoto, Sei Nakahara, Hiroo Iwato
  • Patent number: 6736201
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved heat exchanger and/or fluid mixing means which comprises a bonded stack of plates, the stack comprising at least one group of main perforated plates, wherein at least two adjacent plates of the group of main perforated plates have their perforations aligned in rows with continuous ribs between adjacent rows, and the adjacent plates are aligned whereby the rows of perforations in one plate overlap in the direction of the rows with the rows of perforations of an adjacent plate and the ribs of adjacent plates lie in correspondence with each other to provide discrete fluid channels extending across the plates, a channel corresponding to each row of perforations, the channels together forming one or more fluid passageways across the plates and the passageway(s) in the group of main perforated plates being separated from passageway(s) in any adjacent group of perforated plates by an intervening plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Chart Heat Exchangers Limited
    Inventors: Brian Keith Watton, Keith Thomas Symonds, Steven Paul Symonds
  • Patent number: 6736202
    Abstract: A chill tube (1) for the continuous casting of metals has a double T-shaped cross section in beam blank format. Inner contour (3) defining the cross section of the cast billet is cooled by cooling water, which is guided through cooling channels (4) in tube wall (2). Cooling channels (4) have a round cross section when manufactured. Inner contour (3) has rounded transitions (6) between wall sections (9) bordering a flange region (7) and a crosspiece region (8). The distance (A) between two cooling channels (4) adjacent to each other in transitions (6) is smaller than distance (B) in the remaining wall sections (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: KM Europa Metal AG
    Inventors: Roland Hauri, Egon Mackowiak, Dietmar Kolbeck, Gerhard Hugenschütt
  • Patent number: 6736203
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for supporting and sealing a heat exchanger unit. Specifically, a unitary header and tank unit is disclosed comprising a condenser header and tank unit arranged in parallel relation to a radiator header and tank unit. The unitary header and tank unit is formed from a single piece of stamped material. The single piece of material is stamped to include a perpendicular extrusion and two base portions, each base portion being perforated. The partial separation of the perpendicular extrusion into two flange portions allows the base portions to be folded over onto the flange portions thereby forming two header and tank units with a single internal partition. Additionally, a fin unit is disclosed that is capable of traversing the heat exchange fins of multiple heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene E. Rhodes, Wen Fei Yu, Gregory A. Whitlow, Keith E. Liederman
  • Patent number: 6736204
    Abstract: This invention relates to a heat transfer surface (3) or tubular or plate-like bodies (4) having a microstructure (7) projecting out of the base surface (3a) and consisting of projections (6) which are galvanized onto the base surface (3) with a minimum height of 10 &mgr;m. The object of this invention is to create a heat transfer surface (3) of this type which is characterized by an increase in thermal efficiency of its heat transfer surfaces (3) with the smallest possible temperature differences and is suitable for both nucleate boiling and film condensation with a justifiable manufacturing expense. The object is achieved according to this invention by the fact that the base surface (3a) is covered entirely or partially with projections (6); these projections (6) are applied in the form of ordered microstructures (7) and they have a pin shape, extending with their longitudinal axis (6c) either at a right angle to the base surface (3a) or at an angle (&agr;) between 30° and 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: SDK-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Gollan, Jovan Mitrovic, Andreas Schulz, Helmut Pietsch
  • Patent number: 6736205
    Abstract: An aft in flight entertainment system “IFE” which allows air to be directed to and exhausted from the IFE equipment in isolation from the cabin conditioned air. Further potential IFE generated smoke may be kept isolated from the cabin air. The aft IFE equipment is located in the rear sections of the aircraft. Valves controlling air flow are responsive to input signals. A fan draws cooling air through a video control cabinet through a duct which splits into an overhead branch and an inboard branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hasenoehrl, Charles E. Kusuda, Theodore M. Barry
  • Patent number: 6736206
    Abstract: A thermal processor comprises a thermal processing plate employing a heat pipe structure, a heater heating a working fluid and a cooling plate for reducing the temperature of the thermal processing plate. In order to reduce the temperature of the thermal processing plate, a cooling water supply part supplies cooling water to the cooling plate, for reducing the temperature of the thermal processing plate at a high speed. Then, a compressed air supply part supplies compressed air to the cooling plate, for reducing the temperature of the thermal processing plate at a low speed. Thus, a thermal processor capable of quickly reducing the temperature of a thermal processing plate to a set level without exerting bad influence on a result of processing a substrate is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Hisai
  • Patent number: 6736207
    Abstract: A device for use in removing and installing an inline component from a drill string that is depending downward over a deck. The device has an elongate member with a flange adapted to abut the deck and support the elongate member in a substantially upright orientation, and an engagement member on the elongate member adapted to rotably engage the inline component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ENSCO International Incorporated
    Inventors: Gilles Luca, Gary J. Faciane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6736208
    Abstract: In an integral production pumping tree, the bottom connection, blow-out preventer, flow tee and top connection are positioned to one side, with the vertical rod bore off-center. Up to three vertical ports are provided in the other side of the tree, for providing access to the production casing bore for an electric heating string, an instrumentation string and a small diameter injection tubing string. The ports accommodate sealed connection assemblies, from which the strings extend. The upper portion of the other side of the tree is cut away to create space for introducing the connecting assemblies. The tubing hanger is provided with matching bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Stream-Flo Industries LTD
    Inventors: Daniel J. Riddell, Kwong-Onn Chan
  • Patent number: 6736209
    Abstract: The invention relates to well construction and is directed at an oscillation excitation in a pipe string. According to the inventive method, an operating fluid is circulated in the pipe string. An autonomous mechanism for vibrational impact embodied in the form of an element, for instance a hollow ball having a rigid envelop and filled with gas, possessing a positive floatability, covering from 0.85 to 0.95 of a cross-sectional flow area of the pipe string and having an unrestricted degree of freedom. In the second variant, the inventive device comprises a ball support embodied in the form of a transverse beam or a crossbar rigidly connected to a spiral cylindrical spring arranged inside a tube under the ball with the aid of an easy-push fit. The spring force is selected with respect to a calculated axleload dependence on the mass of the ball and on flow strength with a basic flow rate of the operating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: BIP Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Vladimir Ivanovich Ivannikov, Ivan Vladimirovich Ivannikov
  • Patent number: 6736210
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided that permit downhole tools to be run into a well along with logging tools that can log the downhole tools into place by real time transmission of the data to a surface location. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a telemetry tool, a logging tool in communication with the telemetry tool and a downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Hosie, Thomas Roesnor
  • Patent number: 6736211
    Abstract: A method of recovering oil or contaminants from subterranean reservoirs using a surfactant system where an adsorption reducing agent is injected before, after, and/or with the surfactant system. The adsorption reducing agent is formed by the reaction of an olefin sulfonic acid and phenol/aldehyde resin, the structure which is shown below where M may be Hydrogen or any cation, R is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, etc., X is methylene or other aldehyde derived bridge, Y is hydrogen, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures of two or more of these, x+y is greater than 2 and n is equal or greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Oil chem Technologies
    Inventors: Paul D. Berger, Christie H. Berger
  • Patent number: 6736212
    Abstract: A method for drilling a plurality of well bores through a single conductor housing which comprises providing a base plate which includes at least first and second well slots that extend therethrough, supporting the base plate on the conductor housing, suspending a temporary casing string from the first well slot, drilling a first well bore through the second well slot, removing the temporary casing string from the first well slot, and then drilling a second well bore through the first well slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Shu Yian Liew
  • Patent number: 6736213
    Abstract: A system and methods for proportionally controlling hydraulically actuated downhole flow control devices using derived feedback control. The system comprises a downhole flow control device with a moveable element in a stationary housing. The moveable element is actuated by a balanced hydraulic piston. Hydraulic lines are fed to either side of the piston to effect actuation in either direction. A processor controlled, surface mounted hydraulic system supplies fluid to the piston. A pressure sensor measures supply pressure to the piston and a cycle counter indicates pump cycles and both sensors generate outputs to the processor. The downhole moveable element is cycled between end stops until successive moveable element breakout pressures are within a predetermined value as measured by the surface pressure sensor. A relationship is then derived between moveable element movement and pumped fluid volume and the relationship is used to move the moveable element to a predetermined position to control flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry Bussear, Walter Going, David Schneider, Mike Norris
  • Patent number: 6736214
    Abstract: The invention provides a running tool for a wellbore component. In one aspect, the tool includes a body having a longitudinal bore therethrough with an upper end for connection to a tubular run-in string and a selective attachment assembly for a wellbore component therebelow. A flow directing member is disposed in the bore and is movable between a first and second position. At a predetermined flow rate through the member, the member moves to the second position and directs fluid towards the selective attachment assembly, thereby causing the running tool to become disengaged from the wellbore component after the wellbore component has been actuated and fixed in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey E. Hoffman, Paul Wilson, Jason Ellis
  • Patent number: 6736215
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Pyrolysis products may be produced from the formation. After pyrolysis, the temperature of the portion may be raised to a synthesis gas production temperature. A synthesis gas producing fluid may be introduced into the formation to generate synthesis gas. After synthesis gas production, the portion may be cooled and used to store carbon dioxide or other fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Kevin Albert Maher, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Etuan Zhang, Lanny Gene Schoeling
  • Patent number: 6736216
    Abstract: A construction apparatus (12) and method of controlling a construction apparatus from a laser source (38) made up of a substantially non-rotating beam (56). The construction apparatus includes a body (14), a construction tool (16) adapted to move material, a support moveably supporting the construction tool from the body and a control for guiding movement of the construction tool. A control is provided including a camera (28) that is adapted to capture an illuminated image that is derived from the laser source. The control determines direction information of the illuminated image with respect to the apparatus at least in part from an output of the camera. The control is further adapted to determine separation information of the spot with respect to the body and a physical relationship between the construction tool and the illuminated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems GR, LLC
    Inventors: Hassel J Savard, Robert A Hasara
  • Patent number: 6736217
    Abstract: What I claim is new about my invention is that the double-edged plows on the ends of the plurel to tines (eight as shown) can cultivate and entangle weeds, weed roots and root vines in forward or reverse, will entangle the plural (eight as shown) of tines and double-edged plows with weeds, weed roots and root vines. When a given amount of weeds, weed roots and vines are entangled, stop rotation. Push down Sleeve 7 to have Sleeve 9 cut and push all debris off center pin and tines for removal of the collection of weeds, weed roots and vines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: Charles Farrel Brown
  • Patent number: 6736218
    Abstract: A diesel hammer system for driving piles. In one form of the invention, a control pinion is attached to a cam member employed to adjust the volume of a fuel portion of a pump chamber. A control rack is arranged to engage the control pinion such that linear movement of the control rack is translated into rotational movement of the control pinion. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is provided having a control housing and a control piston. The control piston is attached to the control rack such that linear movement of the control piston is transferred to the control rack. Hydraulic fluid is introduced into the control housing to cause linear movement of the control piston. Conventional hydraulic controls may be used at a remote location to introduce hydraulic fluid into the appropriate portions of the control housing chamber. In another form of the invention, indicia are formed on a housing of the variable fuel pump to allow an operator to see the setting of the fuel pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: American Piledriving Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. White
  • Patent number: 6736219
    Abstract: An underground horizontal boring apparatus includes a framework having a pair of guide tracks and a carriage connected to the framework for movement along the tracks. The apparatus includes a mechanism for moving the carriage in forward or backward directions along the guide tracks. A drill assembly is mounted to the carriage having a drill motor for rotation of a drill rod releasably coupled thereto. A clamp assembly is mounted to one end of the framework and includes a clamp for selectively gripping the drill rod so as to rotatably release the drill rod from the drill motor when the drill motor is operated in a reverse direction. Upon release, the carriage may be moved to a start position, another drill rod may be attached to the drill motor and first rod, and boring resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: William A. White
  • Patent number: 6736220
    Abstract: A trigger assembly for controlling an electric power tool including a motor comprises a base for fixing within the power tool and a trigger supported by the base for inward and outward movement. The base has a housing, a first mechanical switch provided in the housing and operable to switch on and off the motor, and an electronic operating circuitry provided in the housing for controlling the operation of the motor when the first switch is closed. The base includes a slider guided within the housing for movement by the trigger to operate the first switch and the operating circuitry. Also included is a second mechanical switch provided within the housing and operable in response to the movement of the trigger to switch on and off an auxiliary device for the power tool. The auxiliary device is located externally of the base and is operable independently of the operating circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Defond Components Limited
    Inventors: Kai Chi Chan, Man Ting Ho
  • Patent number: 6736221
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which utilizes multiple overlapping surveys to estimate a position in a wellbore and related position uncertainty. Multiple surveys are often taken over the same portion of a wellbore either concurrently or sequentially and/or using various instruments. Each survey generates an estimated survey position and related uncertainty for a given location in the wellbore. By combining the estimated survey positions and uncertainties for these overlapping surveys, a resultant position and related ellipsoid of uncertainty is estimated. This resultant position estimates a position in the wellbore by incorporating the estimated survey positions and uncertainties of multiple overlapping surveys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Chia, Wayne J. Phillips, Darren Lee Aklestad
  • Patent number: 6736222
    Abstract: Apparatus and Methods are disclosed for determining the direction between a rotating magnetic field and alternating magnetic field sensors at a remote location. The curvature of a borehole drilling assembly between a rotating drill bit carrying a permanent magnet and sensors behind a drilling motor is measured to provide early indication of changes in drilling direction. A second application concerns measurement of the convergence and divergence and the skewness of two approximately parallel well bores to provide information for correcting the drilling direction to maintain parallelism. A third application measures the direction and distance to a point target to provide data for guiding drilling toward that target. The primary apparatus are an oriented, rotating permanent magnet and an oriented, three component alternating magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Vector Magnetics, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur F. Kuckes, Rahn G. Pitzer, Anthony G. Nekut
  • Patent number: 6736223
    Abstract: A thrust absorber is interposed between a thruster and an anchor that cooperate to axially displace another member. The thrust absorber includes an enclosure fixed to the anchor and a retainer connected to the thruster. A biasing member is operably associated with the retainer. During an overthrust condition, the thruster imparts a thrust force to the member, but the member is not substantially axially displaced. In such a condition, the biasing member absorbs the thrust that the thruster would otherwise impart to the member. A dampener is also included to dampen the movement of the thruster and anchor when the anchor is no longer anchoring the thruster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert C. Odell, II, Jay M. Eppink
  • Patent number: 6736224
    Abstract: A wellbore assembly is provided that is operable in wellbores in the range of six to six and one-half inches for obtaining large diameter cores, e.g., cores greater than or equal to two and seven-eighths inches in diameter. The wellbore assembly may preferably be utilized with drill pipe so that standard drilling rigs may be utilized in drilling and coring operations therewith. The drill pipe in accord with the present invention may be formed by modifying standard API drill pipe such as API four and one-half inch IF (Internal Flush) drill pipe in a special manner that renders the drill pipe still suitable for the type of drilling operations of interest and also suitable for handling by any drilling rig capable of using standard API drill pipe. Alternatively, the drill piper may be initially manufactured in accord with the specifications of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Corion Diamond Products Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas Kinsella
  • Patent number: 6736225
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coring guide for converting a mine roof bolter into apparatus suitable for guiding a coring rod, or drill, into a mine roof, as well as a method for obtaining a geological core from the mine roof using the guide. The guide includes a pair of jaws, wherein each jaw has an adapter end and a pivotable end. The adapter end of each jaw includes a cavity that faces a cavity included in the adapter end of the other jaw, such that the closed jaws form at least a major portion of a cylindrical coring cavity that accommodates a coring rod. Each jaw includes means for fixing the rod guide within a mine roof bolter apparatus such that when the coring guide is positioned between the jaws and the jaws are partially closed such that they enclose the coring rod, the roof bolter causes the coring rod to penetrate the mine roof and obtain a core sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventor: Paul A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6736226
    Abstract: A rotary drill bit for boring a hole through a solid body is disclosed. The drill bit comprises a collar and a penetrating member. At a proximal end, the collar is attachable to a drill shaft. At a distal end, the collar is attachable to the penetrating member. The penetrating member has a connecting end for attachment to the collar and a cutting end for engaging the solid body. A pilot drill is fixedly attached to the cutting end for initiating contact with the solid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Cutting Edge Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gilbert R. Broom
  • Patent number: 6736227
    Abstract: A transmission for a motor vehicle includes a controller for controlling an engine, a generator and motor unit, a converter, and a storage battery unit. A detecting mechanism is used to detect the operating conditions of the motor vehicle and the engine so as to generate control signals. A power distribution device is disposed between the engine and the generator and motor unit. The generator and motor unit can be controlled to operate in one of a generator mode and a motor mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: JI-EE Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui-Huay Huang, Wen-Chang Chen, Shih-Chang Wu
  • Patent number: 6736228
    Abstract: A powertrain for a hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a transmission and an electric machine disposed therebetween. The electric machine includes a stator housing, a stator mounted within the stator housing and a rotor mounted radially within and coaxial with the stator. The electric machine further includes a first clutch disposed between the engine and the rotor, and a second clutch disposed between the rotor and the transmission. The first and second clutches include non-ferrous clutch plates which are adapted to be immersed in hydraulic fluid. The electric machine has a first mode wherein the electric machine provides torque to the engine, a second mode wherein the electric machine is driven by the engine and a third mode wherein the electric machine provides torque to the transmission. The first and second clutches are positioned radially within the stator housing and axially within the length of the stator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Donohue, Greg Smith, Jeffrey J. Brautigan, Mark L. Hopper, Marci Smith
  • Patent number: 6736229
    Abstract: An energy storage system for a vehicle includes a compressed gas storage tank having a generally cylindrical outer wall and a generally cylindrical battery having a partially triangular section defined in part by a concave surface extending along and nested with at least a portion of the cylindrical outer wall of the gas storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Richard Thomas Amori, Josephine S. Lee, Frank Louis Stellon, Harold Diuguid Wiard
  • Patent number: 6736230
    Abstract: A motorcycle frame assembly arranged to have a desirable amount of rigidity in both transverse and vertical directions. The frame assembly desirably includes a head pipe configured to support a front wheel and associated suspension assembly. A main tube and down tube extend in a rearward direction from the head pipe. Desirably, the main tube is elliptical in cross-section, with the longer dimension being arranged generally horizontally and the shorter dimension being arranged generally vertically. Preferably, the main tube is arcuate along its length and defines a convex outer surface portion opposing a concave outer surface portion. Preferably, the main tube is arranged such that the convex outer surface portion faces the down tube. Desirably, the main tube also extends from the head pipe such that the main tube is lower than perpendicular with respect to the head pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shin Yokomizo
  • Patent number: 6736231
    Abstract: System and method for determining occupancy of a vehicle in which a radar system emits radio waves into an interior of the vehicle in which objects might be situated and receives radio waves and a processor coupled to the radar system determines the presence of any repetitive motions indicative of a living occupant in the vehicle based on the received radio waves such that the presence of living occupants in the vehicle is ascertainable upon the determination of the presence of repetitive motions indicative of a living occupant. Repetitive motions indicative of a living occupant may be a heart beat or breathing as reflected by movement of the chest. The processor may be programmed to analyze the frequency of the repetitive motions based on the received radio waves whereby a frequency in a predetermined range is indicative of a heartbeat or breathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Breed, Wilbur E. DuVall, Wendell C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6736232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a front axle arrangement for a heavy vehicle, e.g. a freight vehicle. The vehicle incorporates a number of wheels (42, 43) which bear the vehicle, and an engine unit (20) for the vehicle's propulsion and a longitudinal chassis element (6) which extends along the vehicle's longitudinal axis in the normal direction of forward movement of the vehicle. The front axle arrangement forms a separate front axle unit (11) incorporating a frame structure (12-15) which is intended to be connected to the longitudinal chassis element, and two of said wheels which are suspended in the frame structure. The front axle unit (11) is intended to bear the engine unit (20) in such a way that the latter extends in through a central aperture of the frame structure (12-15) and can at least partially be extracted from the front axle unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (Publ)
    Inventors: Ake Bergstrom, Pär Wallin, Michael Linden, Fredrik Modahl, Anders Gustavsson, Geoffrey Davidson
  • Patent number: 6736233
    Abstract: An actuator including a motor having a drive shaft, and a gear train coupled to the drive shaft, wherein the gear train includes a plurality of output gears and an associated plurality of output ports for providing a mechanical output from the actuator. The gear train may be provided in a variety of configurations, and may include a worm gear and worm wheel configuration for reducing audible noise. Position sensing may be provided for determining the position of a movable element, e.g. one or more adjustable pedals of an adjustable pedal system. A controller may control the position of the movable element in response to a user input, and may facilitate auto-calibration of the element upon installation. Various configurations for isolating actuator components for reducing audible noise, including a sub-frame isolation configuration, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Beishline, Tom Schregardus, Kevin Hughes, Jeff Finkelstein, Andrew Mark Oakes
  • Patent number: 6736234
    Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of controlling a steering wheel for simulated steering feel on a steering wheel of a vehicle with front road wheels in a steer-by-wire system. The method includes sensing actual torsion on the steering wheel, comparing the actual torsion to a threshold torque value, sensing actual angular velocity of the steering wheel, and comparing the actual angular velocity to a threshold angular velocity. The method further includes generating a simulated steering feel torque on the steering wheel, if the actual torsion is greater than the threshold torque value and the actual angular velocity is less than the threshold angular velocity. The method further comprises returning the steering wheel to the center position at a specified angular velocity, if the actual torsion is less than the threshold torque value and the actual angular velocity is greater than the threshold angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bing Zheng, M. Yi-Yang Huang, Yixin Yao
  • Patent number: 6736235
    Abstract: A portion of a steering shaft 2 capable of being advanced and retracted defines a ball screw shaft 2a of a ball screw mechanism 13. A motor rotor 10 of an electrically driven motor 8 for providing a steering assist force is externally mounted on a rotary nut 14. Mounting of the motor rotor 10 onto the rotary nut 14 is carried out so that the both can be adjustably aligned. By way of example, the rotary nut 14 has an outer peripheral surface formed with an annular protrusion 33 of a arcuate longitudinal sectional shape, having a surface thereof formed with a plurality of axially extending surface indentations 33a arranged side by side in a direction circumferentially of the rotary nut 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Isamu Yoshida, Kiyotake Shibata, Yoshinori Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6736236
    Abstract: An electric motor controller for a steering device that can apply an appropriate steering force to a steering wheel according to running conditions. An electric power steering controller of the present invention includes a steering shaft reaction force torque sensor for detecting a reaction force torque of a steering system, a superimposed reaction force torque calculating unit for multiplying a steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor by a gain to calculate a superimposed reaction force torque in the return direction of the steering wheel, and a control unit for controlling the gain so that the superimposed reaction force torque is reduced when a reaction force torque of the steering system is increased and the superimposed reaction force torque is increased when a reaction force torque of the steering system is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiko Kurishige, Hideyuki Tanaka, Noriyuki Inoue, Chiaki Fujimoto, Kazumichi Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 6736237
    Abstract: An exhaust stack cover sized to substantially conform and fit snugly, or elastically over the end and opening of the exhaust stack of a vehicle engine such that during transportation of the vehicle, wherein the engine is inoperative, a vacuum or air flow is prevented within the exhaust stack and thus the communicating turbine. Elimination of this vacuum and associated air flow prevents detrimental mechanical actuation of parts. Specifically the turbine shaft is protected, which is particularly susceptible to damage due to rotation without appropriate lubrication. The cover can be formed from a substantially heat resistant material such as neoprene which can withstand a substantial direct temperature by the exhaust stack as well as provide some elasticity in order to snugly and tightly grip the outside surface of the exhaust stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Shaw, Jr., Lisa E. Shaw
  • Patent number: 6736238
    Abstract: A silencer for connection to the air intake of a machine such as a turbocharger compressor. The silencer comprises a housing containing a plurality of axially spaced annular noise attenuating baffles. Each baffle has an outer circumference and an inner circumference defining a central aperture, the central apertures of each baffle collectively defining an axial outlet flow passage to an outlet aperture. The baffles define a series of axially spaced generally annular partial flow passages such that air flowing through the silencer is initially split and then merges into the axial outlet passage. Each of the annular flow passages curves radially inwards from its outer to its inner circumference in a direction towards the axial. Additionally, or alternatively, the dimensions of the annular partial flow passages vary so that the velocity of air flow through the passages is greater for passages closer to the axial outlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventor: John David Kerr
  • Patent number: 6736239
    Abstract: An anchorage assembly (100) is interconnected between a support structure (90) and a safety line (160, 161). The anchorage assembly (100) routes the safety line (160, 161) about a corner and accommodates passage of a slotted coupling device movably mounted on the safety line (160, 161).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sala Group Pty Limited
    Inventors: Gregory K. Peterson, Russell I. Moy, Paul Vong
  • Patent number: 6736240
    Abstract: A cam drive is provided for a valve control of a mixture-lubricated internal combustion engine that has a cylinder, and a cylinder head in which is disposed a poppet valve which is actuated by a pivotable rocker arm. Mounted in a cam chamber is a control cam that is driven by the crankshaft of the engine and on the cam path of which rests a drag lever that transfers the cam lift to the rocker arm. To achieve a reliable mixture lubrication, a flow guidance element is disposed in the annular chamber between the peripheral wall of the cam chamber and the maximum diameter of the path of a cam nose. The flow guidance element is provided with a flow edge that is disposed adjacent to the drag lever in the vicinity of the path diameter of the cam nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Bernhard Dürr, Harald Schliemann, Manfred Rabis, Jörg Schlossarczyk
  • Patent number: 6736241
    Abstract: An elevator door system for an entrance opening to an elevator cab. The system includes a two-part door having an open position and a closed position. The two-part door includes a first door portion for traversing across and covering a portion of the entrance opening as the two-part door moves between the open position and the closed position of the two-part door. The two-part door also includes a second door portion for traversing across and covering another portion of the entrance opening as the two-part door moves between the open position and the closed position of the two-part door. A header track includes a rail with a door track for guiding movement of the first and the second door portions. The door track is held onto the rail of the header track via an S-shaped spring clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Michael G. Miller
  • Patent number: 6736242
    Abstract: An arrangement for a hoist secures safety zones in case persons should be outside the hoist cage in a hoist shaft. The arrangement can identify risk situations and includes mechanical limitation devices that can enter into the path of the hoist cage. The limitation devices are arranged at a distance from the upper and lower end limits of the hoist cage during normal operation in order to form upper and lower safety end limits, thereby mechanically securing the safety zones. Striking surfaces are arranged to tilt between an inactive state outside the path of the hoist cage and an active state in the path of the hoist cage forming the safety end limits. The striking surfaces are balanced so that they strive to take their respective active states. A retaining device is arranged on each striking surface to keep the striking surfaces in an inactive state during normal operation and to release the striking surfaces in a risk situation so that it takes its respective active state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Alimak AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Nygren
  • Patent number: 6736243
    Abstract: A mechanical type disc brake for bicycle mainly includes a housing, a mounting bracket for connecting the housing to a fork of the bicycle, a pull bar pivotally connected to an outer side of the housing, an actuating rod extended into the housing via the pull bar, and a toggle mechanism, two sliders, two brake linings, and a restoring element separately mounted in a locating space in the house at predetermined positions. When the pull bar is pulled, the actuating rod is caused to vertically act on the toggle mechanism for two actuating blocks thereof to move outward and push the sliders and the brake linings to create a brake effect. Contact surfaces between the actuating blocks of the toggle mechanism and the sliders are cambered surfaces to avoid an overly large frictional force between the brake linings and brake discs that would result in a brake dragging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Zhang-Hua Fong, Su-Hsien Liao, Dein Shaw, Hong-Guang Ding
  • Patent number: 6736244
    Abstract: A disk brake, preferably a compressed air operated disk brake, comprising a caliper which encompasses the brake disk, and an actuating device which is arranged on one side of the brake disk and provided with a pivotally mounted rotary lever. The rotary lever acts upon a cross member which can be displaced in relation to the disk brake on an eccentric device provided with a pressure element. The invention is characterized in that the at least one pressure element of the eccentric device forms a spherical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Baumgartner, Dieter Bieker
  • Patent number: 6736245
    Abstract: A dampening cylinder is provided. The dampening cylinder includes a cylindrical housing defining a cavity for receiving a fluid therein. A piston slidably extends through the cavity in the housing and includes a flange projecting radially therefrom. The flange is positioned within the cavity so as to divide the cavity in the housing into first and second portions. First and second flow control valves control the rate of flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing, and hence, the rate at which the piston slides through the housing. An emergency stop valve is positioned in fluid communication with the fluid flowing between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing. The stop valve is movable between a first open position for allowing the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing and a closed position for preventing the flow of fluid between the first and second portions of the cavity in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Topper Industrial, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmund W. Brown
  • Patent number: 6736246
    Abstract: This invention provides a dynamic damper 10, in which convex portions 21 protruded in the direction of the inside diameter are provided at a plurality of positions along the circumference of the outer pipe 20 and an elastic body 40 is held between the convex portion 21 and the outer circumference of the weight 30. A stopper portion 32 capable of engaging the convex portion 21 of the outer pipe 20 in the axial direction of the pipe is provided on the weight 30. An insertion guide face 23 provided at an end portion in the axial direction of the convex portion 21 of the outer pipe 20, and the convex portion 21 of the outer pipe 20 makes the insertion guide face 23 slide against the stopper portion 32 of the weight 30 to enlarge the diameter of the convex portion elastically to surpass the stopper portion 32 so that it fits to the outer circumference of the weight 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunobu Haneishi, Katsuhide Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6736247
    Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus comprising a housing (12) with a radial wall (14) coupled with another input shaft, a turbine wheel (104) coupled with a hub (54) and an output shaft; and a lockup clutch comprising a piston (40); an annular friction disc (152) with global radial orientation, coupled in rotation with the turbine wheel (104)/hub (54) assembly and bearing on a first surface a first counter-track (210) co-operating with a first friction track (200) integral with the piston to define a first annular friction zone (Z1), and which bears on its second surface opposite to the first surface, a second counter-track (230) co-operating with a second friction track (220) integral with the radial wall (14) to define a second annular friction zone (Z2). The invention is characterized in that the first and second friction zones (Z1, Z2) are radially offset relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Rabah Arhab, Michel Bacher, Alexandre Depraete, David Forgeron, Daniel Satonnet, Norbert Termenon, Roel Verhoog
  • Patent number: 6736248
    Abstract: A transport-securing arrangement for a pressure plate assembly of a multi-disk clutch including a housing arrangement connectable to a flywheel, a pressure plate coupled to the housing arrangement for common rotation therewith, a stored-energy device having one side supported on the housing arrangement and another side supported on the pressure plate arrangement. The pressure plate assembly also includes an intermediate plate connected to the housing arrangement for common rotation therewith and a first clutch disk with a friction surface area positioned between the pressure plate and the intermediate plate. The transport-securing arrangement comprises a plurality of connecting elements, preferably bolt elements, for tightly connecting the intermediate plate to the housing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Sachs AG
    Inventors: Erwin Ziegler, Reinhold Weidinger, Frank Hirschmann, Klaus Steinel, Wolfram Hick, Norbert Lohaus, Joachim Lindner